The international community’s high representative Christian Schmidt warned on February 25 that Bosnia & Herzegovina’s territorial integrity is non-negotiable and that any secessionist attempts would have a response.

Bosnia comprises two autonomous entities – the Muslim-Croat Federation and Republika Srpska, as well as the autonomous Brcko district. In Republika Srpska, the ruling SNSD party and its leader, the entity’s President Milorad Dodik, are threatening that if the state-level court convicts Dodik, the entity will secede.

The verdict should be issued on February 26 and Republika Srpska’s parliament started a two-day session, staying ready to immediately adopt laws separating it from Bosnia. Dodik has called on his supporters to hold a two-day rally in his support, which began on February 25.

“Fellows, I understand that many of you are deeply concerned about recent developments. Be assured that the international Community remains vigilant. The Dayton order and state institutions remain protected and have to be respected. The International Community remains firmly committed to peace and stability in this region. Bosnia and Herzegovina is not negotiable,” Schmidt said.

A video of his speech was published on the website of the Office of the High Representative (OHR).

“Bosnia & Herzegovina will continue to move forward on its European path. I know that citizens of this country know very well and understand and dedicate themselves to the way to European integration, and they will have help along the way,” Schmidt added.

Dodik responded to his statement, saying that Republika Srpska’s authorities are carrying out constant surveillance on Schmidt and he will be arrested if he enters Republika Srpska’s territory.

The SNSD does not recognise Schmidt’s legitimacy. Dodik is on trial for putting into force laws defying the authority of Schmidt and of the state-level constitutional court on the territory of Republika Srpska.

“He will be arrested if he comes to Republika Srpska,” Dodik said at press conference as quoted in a statement on his personal website.

Meanwhile, supporters of Dodik formed a tent camp in front of Republika Srpska’s parliament, N1 reported.

Dodik was backed by Croatia’s President Zoran Milanovic, who said that the trial was wrong and that Dodik is the most popular Serb politician.

"Dodik is the most popular politician among Serbs in BiH. This is the European way that is totally wrong. He is not even violent. It is some kind of tampering, subterfuge, an attempt to expel the democratically elected representative of the Serb people, with whom we had a lot of disputes, from political life because he did not obey the order of the colonial administrator, a long-retired German politician. What century do we live in," Milanovic said as quoted by N1, referring to Schmidt.

"Someone thinks that they will intimidate the Serbs like this, but they will not. They will revolt them," Milanovic said.

He added that a common language should be found with Serbs in Bosnia instead.